Bluetooth Pedal Paging a Host Tablet Connected To a Client Tablet

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Mike Trench

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Sep 7, 2023, 5:46:12 AM9/7/23
to OpenSongApp
Hi Gareth,

In V5.6 I used a Bluetooth pedal (Pageflip) to control a Host Tablet that was Connected to a Client tablet. Both Tablets were set to Stage Mode which made it easy for my wife (on her keyboard) to stay in sync with me driving the Pedal and my guitar. PS The pedal was simply paired with the Host Tablet via Bluetooth.

Using the same Pedal & Tablets (with V6 loaded), the Stage mode works with the Host Tablet  (that's connected to the Pedal) but I cannot get the Client Tablet to Work reliably in unison with the Host Tablet i.e. the Client Tablet might page from the first verse to the second but then it just stops paging. 

Please note that:
1)  I have tried (extensively) all 3 options (Cluster, Star & Single) without success. 
2)  Performance Mode seems to work better but we really need Stage Mode to work in order to synchronise with each other

Should I perhaps try and use the Midi function to connect the Pedal?
Your guidance would be appreciated. 

Thanks in advance. Mike

Gareth Evans

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Sep 7, 2023, 2:57:26 PM9/7/23
to Mike Trench, OpenSongApp
Hi Mike,

The mode (STAR, CLUSTER, SINGLE) shouldn't actually matter for this type of connection if there are only 2 devices.  CLUSTER is the mode that was used on v5.6 if you want to keep that the same.
I've tested with my pedal and two connected devices and there are no issues that I can see on my end.  Obviously the device that is the host should be the one connected to the foot pedal (and make sure the other device isn't!) just as you describe.  The logic here is actually identical to that used in v5.6.  The host receives the pedal click for previous/next and then sends out that message to connected devices (just as if they had the pedal connected).  
I'm not using the PageFlip, but a different homemade pedal.  Have you tried using the other device as host with the pedal (for testing) and setting your device to the client.  This could eliminate the issue being with a specific device.  When the client stops receiving, has it disconnected from the host?  You can check the 'Connect devices' page and open the extra info tab at the bottom of the screen to see the logs which would state this.  If this is the case, it sounds more like a networking issue.

Gareth

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Mike Trench

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Sep 8, 2023, 12:12:50 AM9/8/23
to Gareth Evans, OpenSongApp
Hi Gareth,

Thank you for your reply. 

Following your comments I have spent a couple of hours with 3 different Android devices trying all sorts of different settings/combinations but I am still coming up short......

As you will see from the following video "link" I can't even get a single tablet to work properly with the foot pedal and this might be a clue as to why the Host and Client setup won't work either.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.


Regards, Mike

Gareth Evans

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Sep 8, 2023, 2:08:55 AM9/8/23
to Mike Trench, OpenSongApp
Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for the video.  That isn't the issue I thought you were having!  I know what is going on, but not sure of why yet!  

The sections are actually correctly being highlighted but the page is scrolling beyond that part of the screen so you see the non-highlighted sections. If you connect your tablet to a Chromecast or smart TV as well, you'll see the correct section displayed on scrolling.

Stage mode used to use what was called a linear layout with each section a different view within that.  It was easy to move from section to section, but it was terrible for memory and caused crashes for users with low end devices since each section was drawn to the screen at once.  V6 uses a major memory efficient recycler view which only draws visible sections and removed then when hidden.  The downside is the scrolling isn't quite as simple as the views shown aren't the full height of the document and calculations have to be made in the background.  Something is obviously going wrong here for you.  I did have this issue a while back, but haven't seen it in the recent v6 beta 31.  I will try to get the bug to replicate on my devices so I can tackle it.

Gareth

Mike Trench

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Sep 8, 2023, 2:19:03 AM9/8/23
to Gareth Evans, OpenSongApp
Hi Gareth, 

You are an early riser! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. 

At the moment I am using Chromecast which thankfully does work. That said, the Verse and Chorus headings don't display above the Sections on the TV which sometimes makes it hard to know whether the Pedal has scrolled correctly. It's not a show stopper but is there a way to include these Headings on the TV?

Thanks for all your hard work and for your diligent responses to my feedback/questions.

Regards, Mike

Gareth Evans

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Sep 8, 2023, 2:28:06 AM9/8/23
to Mike Trench, OpenSongApp
Yeah, I cycle in to work (a chemistry teacher by day) so up sharp!

The Chromecast in stage mode is set to display as it would in presenter mode, without the headings. I can look into adding that option though.

I'll have a look after work (before I settle down for the rugby world cup).

Best wishes,
Gareth

Gareth Evans

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Sep 8, 2023, 2:00:50 PM9/8/23
to Mike Trench, OpenSongApp
Hi Mike,

I've managed to randomly replicate that issue by fast scrolling up and down, although it is random and nowhere near as pronounced as your video illustrates.  I've put in a check that should try to fix this issue if scrolling doesn't place the selected section on the screen, which is ultimately what you are seeing.
This will be in the next beta (I release betas on Monday/Tuesday so as not to impact on any weekend performances!).

Can you let me know if this is any better when you get the update please.

Gareth

Mike Trench

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Sep 8, 2023, 4:58:28 PM9/8/23
to Gareth Evans, OpenSongApp
Hi Gareth,

Thanks for the heads-up as well as the pending update. I will get back to you once I've had a chance to check it out.

Enjoy your weekend.

Regards Mike 
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